Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

DCMS has overall responsibility for Government policy on the identification, recording, protection, conservation, enhancement and interpretation of heritage assets, and for their promotion as part of contemporary culture.

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has a number of distinct heritage responsibilities, including:

1. Deciding whether to list a building or issue a
certificate of immunity from listing.

10. Setting policy and regulating requirements for the process handling of planning and other consent applications (including neighbourhood planning) by local planning authorities, including consultation requirements.

Called-in decisions and development consent applications are reported on by planning inspectors, usually following a public inquiry. The report will contain a recommendation to refuse or grant permission or consent and as to the terms of any permission or consent that Secretary of State might be minded to grant.

DCLG's involvement in planning and listed building consent casework is handled by the National Planning Casework Unit.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ("DEFRA")

DEFRA makes policy and legislation concerning the natural environment, sustainable development, food and farming, animal welfare, environmental protection and rural concerns. Its policies and practices have considerable impact on heritage conservation. Specifically, through Natural England, it is responsible for agri-environment schemes - agreements between farmers and land managers concerning the use and maintenance of land that often encompass the conservation of heritage assets.